Anwar: Aipa crucial to advancing Asean's next chapter

New Straits Times

26-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) should be further encouraged to enhance parliamentarians' understanding of Asean's mechanisms across member states, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
As Asean advances into a new chapter of its community-building efforts, he said deeper engagement between Aipa and lawmakers would not only benefit national legislatures, but also strengthen regional cooperation and alignment on issues affecting the people.
In his keynote address at the Asean Leaders' Interface with Aipa representatives today, Anwar said that Aipa had gone to great lengths during this session to address several key issues, including food security, climate change, digital transformation, and inclusive economic development.
"On behalf of my counterparts, I wish to express our sincere appreciation for the initiatives undertaken, which will be of immense value not only to the House but also to its members and elected representatives," he said.
"Every decision made by a parliament or congress has a significant impact on the direction of our nations. Many of my colleagues have also expressed the view that Aipa should be encouraged to provide greater exposure to our parliamentarians on Asean's inner workings."
Anwar also said that, as Asean continues its community-building journey, Aipa would serve as a vital partner in realising the people's aspirations, advancing progress across the three core pillars, and enhancing Asean's resilience and readiness for future challenges.
The 14th Asean-Aipa Interface offers a strategic platform to align regional priorities through inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance.
Centred on the theme "Parliament at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and a Sustainable Asean", the Interface highlights the critical role of parliamentary institutions in supporting Malaysia's Asean chairmanship agenda focused on inclusivity and sustainability.